First UK repatriation flight leaves Oman as Brits flee Middle East

WorldPolitics
5 Mar 2026 • 10:30 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • The first charter flight carrying British citizens from Oman has successfully departed, as confirmed by Sir Keir Starmer.
  • The Prime Minister stated that over 4,000 Britons have already returned on commercial flights from the UAE, with seven more flights scheduled for today and additional charter flights planned.
  • An earlier charter flight from Muscat was initially delayed due to "technical issues" but a flight has now taken off.
  • Approximately 130,000 British citizens have registered their presence in the Middle East, with the Foreign Office coordinating repatriation efforts.
  • British Airways has scheduled an additional flight from Muscat to London Heathrow on 8 March for existing customers, while flights from several other Middle Eastern cities remain suspended.

IN FULL